After the success of Prey, director Dan Trachtenberg is reportedly working on his next standalone film in the Predator franchise. Titled Badlands, the film reportedly features Elle Fanning in the lead role. While no plot details have been revealed, the film will also be set in the Predator universe like Prey.
Fanning’s casting might just be a masterstroke for the film as she has been known for her powerhouse performances. While she was recently seen in her Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated series The Great, Fanning has been delivering amazing performances since she made her debut as a child actress in I Am Sam. Here are five performances that prove why she is the best choice for Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator film.
1. The Beguiled (2017)
Elle Fanning first worked with director Sofia Coppola as a child actress in the drama Somewhere. Her second collaboration with the noted filmmaker saw her share screen space with stalwarts such as Nicol Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, and Colin Farrell in The Beguiled. Set during the American Civil War, the film sees Farrell play an injured Union soldier who stumbles on a girls home in Virginia, who treats him.
Fanning plays Alicia, a teenager who takes to Farrell’s character in the film. Amidst powerhouse performers such as Kidman and Dunst, Fanning still seems to hold her ground and give an amazing performance.
The Beguiled is available to stream on Netflix.
2. Ginger & Rosa (2012)
Elle Fanning started in the coming-of-age drama Ginger & Rosa along with Alice Englert and Christina Hendricks. The film was set during the Cuban Missile Crisis and explored the friendship shared by the eponymous characters as they navigated their teenage.
Fanning’s performance as Ginger was universally lauded and was regarded as the highlight of the film. The New York Times’ AO Scott compared her performance and skills to that of Meryl Streep and appreciated her for making Ginger a real person.
Ginger & Rosa is available to stream on Max.
3. Mary Shelley (2017)
Based on the life of author Mary Shelley, known for writing the gothic horror novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley sees Elle Fanning portray the legendary writer and her tumultuous relationship with her husband and author, Percy Bysshe Shelley. The period drama saw Fanning portray the character with vulnerability and poise, making her the highlight of the otherwise historically inaccurate film.
Mary Shelley is streaming on AMC+.
4. The Neon Demon (2016)
The film that proves why Dan Trachtenberg chose Elle Fanning for his Predator spinoff Badlands is Nicholas Winding Refn’s psychological horror film, The Neon Demon. Fanning plays Jesse, an aspiring model who moves to LA to pursue her dreams. What starts off as a coming-of-age story turns into a horror drama once Fanning’s character gets into the dark world of the fashion industry.
Jesse’s Black Swan-esque descent to madness as she navigates further into the dark city is perfectly captured by Fanning. The film competed for the Palm d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and received
polarizing response from audiences and critics alike.
The Neon Demon is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
5. 20th Century Women (2016)
20th Century Women is filled with powerhouse performers, and Elle Fanning is just the icing on the cake. It stars an in-form Annette Benning, Greta Gerwig, and Billy Crudup. Fanning plays Julie, the best friend of Jamie, who is played by Lucas Jade Zumann. The film follows the story of Dorothea, a single mother who raises Jamie and the struggles she faces while taking support from her tenants and Julie.
The film was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars, and though Benning received much of the acclaim, Fanning was appreciated, too.
20th Century Women is streaming on Max.
